Looking for a MyDriveTime Alternative? Here's What to Consider

MyDriveTime is one of the most popular apps for UK driving instructors. But it's not the only option. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.

First: what MyDriveTime does well

Let's start with credit where it's due. MyDriveTime has been around for a while, and a lot of instructors use it for good reason.

• The diary works. It's straightforward, it syncs across devices, and it does the core job of showing you where you need to be and when.
• Student records are decent. You can track pupil details, lesson notes, and test dates.
• It's purpose-built for driving instructors. Unlike generic booking platforms, it understands the specifics of how driving lessons work — travel time between pickups, lesson lengths, test prep.
• The price is reasonable. At £19/month, it's mid-range for the market. You know what you're paying and it doesn't change.

If MyDriveTime is working well for you, there's no reason to switch just for the sake of it. Switching platforms is hassle, and "good enough" has real value.

Where instructors want more

That said, there are a few things MyDriveTime doesn't do that some instructors wish it did.

No online payments

This is the big one. MyDriveTime lets students book lessons, but it doesn't process payments. Students still pay separately — cash, bank transfer, or whatever arrangement you have. That means you're still chasing payments, still dealing with "I'll pay next week," and still eating the cost when someone no-shows on a lesson they haven't paid for.

For a lot of instructors, payment collection is the single most frustrating part of the job. A booking system that doesn't handle it solves half the problem but leaves the annoying half untouched.

No smart scheduling

MyDriveTime gives you a diary. You manage the diary. If a student wants to book, they see your availability, but the system doesn't optimise your day — it doesn't factor in travel time between pickups, cluster lessons geographically, or suggest better slot arrangements. You're still doing that in your head.

No student progress sharing

Parents are paying £38 a lesson and most of them have no idea what their child is actually working on. MyDriveTime tracks lesson notes for you, but there's no way for a parent (or the student themselves) to log in and see their progress. It's instructor-facing only.

That's a missed opportunity. Parents who can see progress are more engaged, more patient, and less likely to pull their child out.

Monthly fee regardless of usage

At £19/month, you're paying £228/year whether you teach 5 lessons a week or 35. For a full-time instructor, that's fine. For someone who's part-time, just starting out, or winding down, it's a cost that doesn't scale with your business.

The feature comparison

When MyDriveTime is the better choice

MyDriveTime is better for you if:

• You're high-volume. If you're doing 30+ lessons a week and most of them go through an online booking system, MyDriveTime's flat £19/month is cheaper than 4.2% per transaction.
• You don't need online payments. If your students reliably pay in cash or by bank transfer and you're not bothered by the occasional no-show, the payment integration isn't worth much to you.
• You value maturity. MyDriveTime has been around longer. It's got a larger community, more reviews, and the kind of track record that comes from years of operation. PassReady is newer, and that matters to some people.
• You're already set up on it. Switching platforms means re-entering students, rebuilding your diary, and learning a new interface. If MyDriveTime is working, that hassle might not be worth it.

When PassReady is the better choice

PassReady is better for you if:

• You want online payments. This is the headline difference. Every booking through PassReady is a paid booking. Students pay when they book. No chasing, no no-show losses, no awkward texts about money.
• You're cost-sensitive. If you're part-time, just starting, or doing fewer than about 25-30 lessons a week, PassReady's pay-per-booking model costs less than £19/month flat.
• You want parent visibility. If your students' parents keep asking "what did you cover today?" and you'd rather show them than tell them, PassReady's shared progress tracking handles that.
• You don't want a contract. No subscription means no cancellation. You can stop using it tomorrow with nothing to cancel and nothing to pay.

What we'd honestly recommend

If you're happy with MyDriveTime but frustrated about payment collection, try PassReady alongside it. Use your PassReady booking link for new students and online bookings. Keep your existing diary if you want. See whether prepaid booking makes a difference to your no-show rate and your cash flow.

If you're not on any platform yet and you're trying to decide where to start, try the PassReady demo. It costs nothing to explore, and you'll know within five minutes whether it fits how you work.

If you're doing 35+ lessons a week and you just need a solid diary with no transaction fees, MyDriveTime at £19/month is genuinely good value. We're not going to pretend otherwise.

The best tool is the one that matches your business. We just want to make sure you know there are options.